Now that I've been reborn, I have to play tennis!

Chapter 28 What? You want me to give a speech to the whole school?

A week later, Meng Hao returned to his hometown, Donghai City.

"I'm already an international champion!" he exclaimed.

It feels like a lifetime has passed since I last came to school a week ago!
Meng Hao is now a minor celebrity at school!
Winning the men's singles tennis championship in an international youth tournament is a first for Donghai No. 2 Middle School, and indeed for all high schools in Donghai City.

Even the principal of Donghai No. 2 Middle School proudly said: "Look, it was I who proposed building a tennis court in the school two years ago, and now it has finally come to fruition!"

"..." Many teachers at Donghai No. 2 Middle School couldn't help but wonder, "Does this really have anything to do with you?"

Of course, they would still say, "The principal is wise!"

In recent years, thanks to Li Na, tennis has become quite popular.

Even in a small third-tier city like Donghai, high school students often gather in the cafeteria, staring at the TV screen above, to watch Li Na's tennis matches, just like they used to watch Yao Ming play in the NBA.

Competitive sports still need superstars to drive them.

For example, Meng Hao's recent victory in a minor youth tournament sparked considerable discussion at this prestigious high school, thanks to the current popularity of tennis.

"Sister Na, it seems like you're retiring this year? The retirement ceremony is at the China Open!"

Meng Hao suddenly thought of something.

He knew very well that this outcome could not be changed by his rebirth.

Two Grand Slam champions, and already 32 years old, his career is already complete!
When Li Na retired, the popularity of tennis in China plummeted until ten years later...

As soon as Meng Hao returned to the classroom, one of the students shouted, "Welcome back our champion!"

Wow~
Countless eyes were turned to Meng Hao.

Meng Hao, who had always been unremarkable, finally became the focus of the whole class.

The homeroom teacher, Ms. Yu, finally began to look at Meng Hao with new respect.

"They actually won! I thought it would be good enough if they could get past the first or second round!" Although she likes tennis, she doesn't follow junior tournaments, but she knows how competitive this industry is.

Because one of Teacher Yu's senior classmates went to an Eastern European country at her own expense to train her daughter to play tennis.

Why choose Eastern European countries? The world's three major tennis talent development bases are the United States, Spain, and the Eastern European countries.

The costs in the United States and Spain are too high, while the costs in Eastern European countries are relatively much cheaper.

The problem is that Eastern European countries have an overabundance of talent, with exceptionally gifted young players everywhere, making the competition extremely fierce.

Teacher Yu was genuinely worried that his senior's daughter might get beaten up so badly during her training there that she would question her existence.

"Meng Hao!" she called out to him. "Have you thought about which university to apply to? As a top-level tennis player, you should have no problem getting into a less popular but prestigious university."

Less popular top universities...

Such unfamiliar vocabulary.

Meng Hao was speechless. He knew that the reason his homeroom teacher said that was because if he was admitted to a key university, it would count towards his performance evaluation.

"Fudan University, or Zhejiang University?" he asked very frankly.

Teacher Yu was speechless after hearing this.

You call this a less popular key university?

"Don't joke around. Even Asian Games champions might not get into this kind of school unless you're a world champion!" Teacher Yu said with certainty. "Although the requirements might be more lenient for popular sports like tennis, it's still not something a mere junior champion can get into."

Meng Hao chuckled and replied, "Then I'll consider it when I meet the requirements in the future. Anyway, there's still plenty of time; I still have a year of senior high school left!"

That's true, but can you really make it in just over a year? Teacher Yu paused for a moment, then simply said, "This path is very difficult," and said nothing more.

From a normal perspective, she was indeed right; this path is difficult.

But Meng Hao is here to break conventional wisdom!
"Meng Hao, are you really planning to become a professional athlete? Or do you just want to use this as a way to get into a top university?" Yan Cong, Meng Hao's deskmate, asked in a low voice, while holding a novel in his hands.

"Being a professional player is too far away, let's take it one step at a time!" Meng Hao didn't tell the whole truth, then pretended to be profound, "The world of tennis is wonderful, I want to go and see it."

Yan Cong held the novel, lost in thought, and after a long while, he slowly spoke: "I've had an epiphany!"

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Meng Hao asked instinctively.

Yan Cong said earnestly, "The world of online novel authors is also wonderful, and I want to see it too!"

"..." Meng Hao was also stunned.

You're really good at applying what you've learned to other situations!
To his astonishment, the guy pulled a notebook out of his bag with a serious expression.

"Starting today, I'll take notes while reading novels and diligently accumulate experience!"

Yan Cong said confidently, "Neither of us will be able to get into a top university based on our grades alone. As for me, I'll try my best to make a name for myself as an online novelist! And you, I'll try to achieve something in the professional tennis world!"

Good heavens, could this be the butterfly effect I caused?
Meng Hao smiled calmly, gave a thumbs up, and replied, "Okay, I believe we both have a bright future!"

After the morning self-study session ended, he received another notification.

The school leaders hoped he could give a speech on stage.

After all, this is the first student in the school's history to win an international sports championship.

The principal kept emphasizing that he had built the tennis court two years ago despite opposition, which led to today's championship.

By having Meng Hao speak on stage, he was actually showing off and boasting from the sidelines.

"In front of the entire school? And... what could I possibly say? Why weren't you notified me sooner!"

Meng Hao was speechless, but he had no choice but to bite the bullet and go for it.

Monday is traditionally a day when all students gather on the playground to sing the national anthem and raise the national flag.

After these procedures were completed, Meng Hao walked onto the podium under the watchful eyes of all the teachers and students in the school.

This pressure is much greater than the pressure I felt during my victory speech last week.

"I am very grateful to the school for building a new tennis court two years ago! I had just entered high school when I saw this beautiful tennis court, and I have loved this beautiful but lonely sport ever since."

"I have so many wonderful memories of that tennis stadium."

"Thank you, Donghai No.2 Middle School!"

Meng Hao, after all, possessed the soul of a man in his thirties, and knew how to choose what to say that sounded good.

"I feel very honored to be standing here to give this speech today. Every Monday is a special day because we raise the national flag and play the national anthem!"

"This makes me even more excited!"

He looked up again at the five-star red flag fluttering in the wind above, and his heart was filled with emotion. He blurted out, "Actually, I also dream of one day having the five-star red flag flying in the stadium."

"I remember that among the four Grand Slam tournaments that represent the highest honor in tennis, only the French Open has a flag-raising and national anthem-playing ceremony at its awards ceremony!"

"I want to win the French Open!"

……

(End of this chapter)